| 24 June 2011
As the 2011 NBA Draft comes and goes, teams across the league are hoping that their draft selections will pay off in the long run. Yet, every team will see certain selections turn into busts; some more than others. With that, it is fitting to look back at the Sonics, and analyze their five biggest busts in their history. Whether through the draft or free agency, the Sonics made some questionable moves that never paid off.
5. Calvin Booth (2001-2003)
Signed in the offseason of 2001, the Sonics believed they were acquiring an up and coming Center that could really make an impact in the post; something they were lacking during that time. They were so sure that Booth was the answer at Center, they signed him to a six year deal. Yet, he never lived up to the high expectations of his contract, as he failed to average more 6.2 PPG in his time in Seattle. Aside from the lack of production, Booth's time with the Sonics was consistently hampered with leg injuries, ranging from a meniscus injury to a severely sprained ankle. In the end, Booth and the Sonics parted ways, a move that was best for both parties, as the Sonics were left trying to save face after a disastrous signing. Calvin Booth ended up being just one of many questionable signings at the Center position for Seattle.
4. Johan Petro (2005-2008)
Unlike Booth, Johan Petro showed flashes of brilliance during his tenure in Seattle, but the aspect of his selection that makes him a bust is that he was a first round selection. The Sonics infatuation with Centers during the NBA Drafts of the mid-2000s never paid off. Petro averaged around 6.0 PPG throughout his seasons with the Sonics, numbers that are not acceptable for a number 25 selection in the Draft. Petro went with the Sonics to Oklahoma City, but eventually was shipped to Denver, then New Jersey, where he rarely plays. Some players picked after Petro in the '05 Draft include: David Lee, Monta Ellis and Andray Blatche.
3. Mouhamed Sene (2006-2008)
A year after Petro was selected, the Sonics need for a quality Center still persisted, because they failed to make good selections and acquisitions previously. So with the 10th pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, they selected Mouhamed Sene, from the Senegal. Sene was just plain awful with the Sonics in his two seasons there, averaging less than 2.0 PPG, before being demoted to the D-League. In 2009, the Thunder waived Sene, who was eventually signed by the Knicks, and then released one game later. Now, Sene does not play in the NBA. Some players picked after Sene in the '06 Draft include: Rajon Rondo, Paul Millsap, Thabo Sefolosha and Kyle Lowry.
2. Robert Swift (2004-2006, 2008)
Selected even before Petro and Sene, Robert Swift was the 12th overall pick for the Sonics in the 2004 NBA Draft. A prized high school Center from California, Swift was thought to be the next great Center for the Sonics well into the future. In his first season, Swift averaged less than 1.0 PPG. His second season produced better results, causing some to believe the Sonics got this pick right. Before his third season, Swift was tabbed the starting Center, but he tore his ACL in the preseason, causing him to miss the entire season, and eventually, end his time with the Sonics. Robert Swift now plays in Japan. Some players picked after Swift in the '04 Draft include: Al Jefferson, Josh Smith, Kevin Martin, Trevor Ariza and Jameer Nelson.
1. Jim McIlvaine (1996-1998)
The biggest bust in the history of the Seattle Sonics has to be Jim McIlvaine, not only for his performance, but for his detriment to the rest of the roster. After losing in the Finals, the Sonics wanted to add another big man inside. McIlvaine was a career backup player to this point, but the Sonics saw something in him that they felt made him worthy of a seven year contract worth $30+ million. Upon his arrival in Seattle, McIlvaine was met with angst from his new teammates, most notably Shawn Kemp.
In his two years with the Sonics, McIlvaine averaged no more than 3.8 PPG. In addition, Kemp became so frustrated with the team's moves, that he was dealt to Cleveland in a trade that saw the Sonics acquire Vin Baker. In the end, not only did McIlvaine fail to produce on the court, but he left his teammates angry off the court. The Sonics were forced to trade one of their best players in Shawn Kemp, and they ended up having to deal then with another awful player, Vin Baker, as a result. McIlvaine made no positive contributions whatsoever to the Sonics during his time in Seattle. Some centers that were free agents as well when McIlvaine signed include: Shaquille O'Neal, Vlade Divac, Juwan Howard and Alonzo Mourning.
Notice how all five of the biggest busts in Sonics history are Centers. This just goes to show that the Sonics organization during the 90s and 2000s did not have a keen eye towards big men. All five had their terrible flaws, but in the end, McIlvaine is the biggest bust because his negative influence on the team caused the Sonics to make changes that made the roster even worse.
